New operating theatres at Bradford Royal Infirmary
The ultra-modern hi-tech spaces give a nod to the local heritage of the past.
Staff were asked to choose a new name for the theatre suite, formerly known as the ENT (ear, nose and throat) theatres, after the makeover and chose to rename them ‘Bronte Theatres’ in homage to the 19th century literary family, born in the village of Thornton and later associated with the village of Haworth.
The theatres now have the latest technology and equipment including touch-screen surgeons’ panels which control, temperature, lighting, ventilation and meet the latest infection prevention and control standards.
The upgrade has taken just under a year to complete, with the revamp beginning in January 2021.
Modernisation
The process began with a replacement of the ageing theatre ventilation system, which entailed ripping out hundreds of metres of ducting from the theatre infrastructure – tearing out walls and ceilings in the process. Rectifying the damage caused meant that the theatre block had to be completely renovated, refurbished and modernised.
Senior Operating Department Practitioner and Team Leader for the Bronte Theatres Andy Yates said: "These theatres were the oldest in the Trust, dating back to the 1960s and were in need of a significant upgrade and modernisation.
"They have now been completely renovated and refurbished and are now airy and bright spaces which have undergone complete decoration, have had new flooring, lighting, air conditioning and have been equipped with all the latest technology.
We have also completely refurbished the corridors leading to the theatres to make them less clinical. Around 95 per cent of patients walk to theatre so we wanted these areas to be welcoming and calming. These areas now feature bright and colourful vinyls depicting woodland and natural landscape scenes.
Andy added that the theatres are not being used just for ear, nose and throat surgery but also for ophthalmic, maxillofacial and paediatric surgery.
"Patients have commented on the new spaces. They really like the vinyls with the nature scenes saying that the images put them at their ease. It’s very important for our young patients in particular to feel calm and not afraid."
